BXBX NOVEL Chapter 111 - Infiltrating
"Thank you for your kindness." Then she electrified the bandit with a minimal amount of energy enough to pass him out.
"This ability is quite overpowered. Still, it's taxing too much if uncontrolled. Thankfully, Aaron taught me some tricks." she mumbled before going back to where the carriage was.
***
I finally looked at the geography of the area and it was static. Consistent trees, and nothing more. Though I saw some small lakes and small rock formations, it wasn't important since I didn't sense any human presence.
How can I feel their presence? Their auras, actually!
When I was about to surrender in finding the location, Ellena pointed in the direction where the base was supposed to be located, and... she was right.
I sensed plenty of people, at least 30 in number. However, I don't know how dangerous they are since I can only feel specific auras when Ellena is present in their field of view.
I also double-checked the geography and memorized it with the best description I could give Ellena. And after that, I returned to her side.
"Ellena, there are people here, at least 30 at a minimum." I initially reported once I got back to her side.
'Thank you, Aaron. You're a great help.' she smiled before returning to Thalia.
"Thalia, I want you to stay here and wait for me while I handle the bandits."
"What? By yourself? Can I help you?"
"Of course… not. Stay here and be on guard. Also, hide the carriage for a while." Ellena ordered before glancing at me.
'Please watch over her while I'm gone.'
"You're really reckless. Just go. I'll take care of her." I said.
Then she looked back at Thalia. "Thalia, I have someone watching over you, so don't be scared. Also, take this." She handed a sword to her.
And that specific gesture made Thalia worry. "What are you going to use if you gave this to me? Big Sister, please don't be reckless."
Now that Thalia also knew about it, Ellena should listen sometimes.
Ellena just smiled at her and caressed Thalia's hair. "Don't be silly. I'm strong and these third-rate criminals are just easy for me. If the city can't eradicate them, I will."
Ellena sent another gleam to Thalia, making her sigh in defeat. "Please be safe, Master."
"Ay… Ha… Don't worry, I will," she said before leaving us.
Then now… what should I do?
***
Ellena left Aaron and Thalia and headed to the location where the bandits gave her. Now that Ellena has a vague description and image of the surroundings, she can easily know how to hide, at least in a minimal manner.
She activated stealth and observed people passing by and standing by the area. She saw 7 bandits, wearing old and tattered garments over them.
She planned for about a minute. Then, she thought of the best way to eradicate them quickly: deploying a bait.
Ellena approached one of the bandits who were not too close to the others. He must be napping away from the rest of the group so as not to get disturbed.
When Ellena was just behind the bandit, she passed a thread of lightning that had a small amount of energy enough to shock him slightly.
"Ahhh!" the bandit shouted and took everyone's attention.
As if hitting a jackpot, Ellena launched another thread that would make him lose consciousness, and as expected, everyone gathered around him with perplexity.
"What happened to him?"
"He just shouted and returned to sleep. What a dumbass. I bet he just had some kind of nightmare.
"I bet it's too."
But before they could notice it, Ellena was above them ready to launch some threads of lightning.
And as everyone was about to leave, Ellena called them.
"Bastards."
Everyone became in position, but it was too late. Ellena had already launched her surprise attack and knocked everyone out with her lightning.
She jumped off the tree and tapped her clothes as if fixing them.
"Now that makes it 23 at a minimum." she gleamed before getting deeper into the area.
She minimally activated her Stealth as it was just for assurance. She already knew how to hide her presence and be stealthy, but that ability was just to be sure that it wouldn't be a flaw.
When she was near the deeper part of the area, she noticed that there was an entrance to it, a cave.
'So, this is their hideout. I guess this will be slightly harder than I thought.'
She cautiously continued to get in, but when someone almost noticed her, she rushed to him and knocked him out immediately.
'That was close.' she thought, then continued again.
After a few minutes, Ellena finally stopped at the entrance of the cave. Grinning at what she had just discovered, she got inside without thinking of any downwards.
'Bandits are hiding for a reason.' That was what was on her mind, but thinking of not underestimating them, she picked up one of the dropped bandit's swords she had just knocked down.
A sword was in her grasp, tightly gripped to be sure it wouldn't get lost. When she was finally ready, she entered the dark passage and eventually saw a light coming from a torch.
'This isn't great. I can't hide there if that's the case.' she thought, and while pondering her next move, an idea came to her mind.
'I'll change into Noelle.'
And as she decided, she changed her clothes. Her face is now covered with a dark cloth and her body is also in black garments.
Feeling confident that she wouldn't get caught wearing it, she continued with caution.
After some moments, she saw the whole group, inside the deepest part of the cave, gathering at leisure.
They were just some guys who were gambling, talking, and arm-wrestling. And such things don't pique her interest. Thus, she checked everyone's abilities and learned that they were all mediocre. They only have a 20% proficiency of their abilities.
It made Ellena scoff, thinking that this was just easy for her.. And as before, when she was about to attack, one group gathered into six members.